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1746. 



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NARRATIVE 



Capture anU JButning 



FORT MASSACHUSETTS 



FRENCH AND INDIANS, 

IN THE TIME OF THE WAR OF I744-I74.9, AND THE CAPTIVITY 

OF ALL THOSE STATIONED THERE, TO THE 

NUMBER OF THIRTY PERSONS. 

WRITTEN AT THE TIME BY ONf: j8F THE CAPTIVES, THE 

Rev. Mr. JOHN NORTON, 



CHAPLAIN OF THE FORT. 



NOW FIRST PUBLISHED .JV*tH NOTES, BY 

SAMUEL G:' DRAKE. 




ALBANY : 
Printed for S. G. Drake of Boston^ by Joel Munsell. 

1870. 

^ -;■ 







ONLY ONE HUNDRED COPIES PRINTED, 




NOTICE 



REV. MR. JOHN NORTON 




R. NORTON was born in Berlin, 
Connedlicut, 1716 ; graduated at Yale 
College in 1737. Four years after, 
namely, in 1741, he was ordained in 
Fall Town, since Bernardston, Massa- 
chusetts, and was the first minister in 
that town. Owing "to the unsettled state of the times," he 
continued in Fall Town but about four years ; the people 
had quite as much as they could do to maintain their families, 
while they were exposed to inroads of the enemy in a war 
already commenced. The statement of his having been set- 
tled at Deerfield in 1741, is probably incorredl. After his 
return from captivity he was installed pastor of the Congre- 
gational church in East Hampton, Middlesex county, Con- 
nefticut, November 30th, 1748, where he continued about 



4 Notice of Rev. yohn Norton. 

thirty years, at which period he fell a victim to the small pox 
(March 24th, 1748). 

Bernard's Town, at the time Mr. Norton preached there was, 
as just mentioned, called Fall Town. It was thus designated 
because it was granted to the soldiers, or the descendants of 
those soldiers who were in the fight with the Indians at the 
Great Falls in the Connecticut river. May i8th, 1676. While 
in captivity his wife applied to the government of Massachusetts 
for the wages due him as chaplain, and at one time received one 
pound sixteen shillings and six pence, then due, March 12th, 

1747- 

Mr. Norton's captivity was of one year's continuance, want- 
ing four days. His narrative was printed in 1748, in Boston, 
" and sold opposite the prison." Who the printer was, or the 
bookseller, is not mentioned. As Daniel Fowle kept in Queen 
street at this time, and the prison was in that street, where the 
court house now is, he was probably the printer. The author 
was perhaps his own publisher. He appears not to have had 
much pradlice as a writer, but what is of more importance, he 
was evidently one of the most truthful, while the printer did 
not perform his part with much credit to himself, which might 
have been the occasion of his withholding his name to Mr. 
Norton's work. 

Mr. Norton was thirty years of age when taken prisoner ; 
and though he has given us a work full of valuable fa6ls, he 
evidently had had little experience in literary matters, and would 



Notice of Rev. John Norton. 5 

have made his work much more valuable had he re-written it at 
a later day. But narratives of the kind of this of Mr. Norton's 
would not at the time of its publication, attra6t the attention 
of the reading public. His immediate friends, and the friends 
of those in captivity with him, were about all who would take 
any interest in its publication. There was no charm of compo- 
sition about it. Its details are the dryest possible. Hence its 
circulation was of the most limited kind. This circumstance may 
account for its extreme scarcity, which scarcity probably extends 
back to within a very few years of its publication. Many of 
the most valuable works have been issued in small editions ; a 
few copies only bound or stitched up to meet the first demands 
of friends ; the rest are take^n by the author into the country, 
perhaps in sheets, and eventually used for waste paper ; or, 
possibly left on the printer's hands to meet a similar fate. Such 
cases are known to the writer. 



[Cofy of the Title-page as originally iitued."] 

Cfjc ^Sleteemet Captibe, 

Being a 

NARRATIVE 

Of the taking and carrying into CAPTIVITY 

The Reverend 

MR. JOHN NORTON 

When Fort Massachusetts Surrendered to a large 
Body of French ^ Indians Aug. 20th, 1746. 

With a particular Account of the Defence made before the 
Surrender of that Fort, and the Articles of Capitulation, &c. 

Together with an account both entertaining and affedting of ^ 
what Mr. NORTON met with and took Notice of, in his 
travelling to, and while in Captivity at Canada^ and till his 
arrival at Boston^ on August 16, 1747. 

WixiiUn tiff fiintsflt 

Jerc. 21-4. Thus saith the Lord, — Behold, 1 will turn back the Weapons 
of War that are in your Hands wherewith ye fight against the King 
of Babylon, and against the Chaldeans, which besiege you without the 
Walls l£ I will assemble them into this City, 

Chap. 50. 33. The Children of Israel, and the Children of Judah were 
oppressed together, and all that took them Captives held them fast, they 
refused to let them go. 

Lam. 1. 3. jfudah is gone into Captivity, because of Affliiiion. 

Neh. 7. 6. These are the Children of the Province, that went up out of 
the Captivity, of those that had been carried away. 

BOSTON : Printed & Sold opposite the Prison. 1748. 



i^ovton's IRetieemeD Captitoe. 




HURSDAY, August 14, 1746, I left 
Fort Shirley, f in company with Dr. 
[Thomas] Williams, and about four- 
teen of the soldiers ; we went to Pel- 
ham Fort, and from thence to Captain 
Rice's, where we lodged that night. 
Friday, the 15th, we went from thence to Fort Massachu- 
setts, where I designed to have tarried about a month. 

Saturday, i6th. The do£lor, with fourteen men, went off 
for Deerfield, and left in the fort. Sergeant John Hawks,| with 
twenty soldiers, about half of them sick with bloody flux. Mr. 
Hawks sent a letter by the doilor to the captain, supposing 
that he was then at Deerfield, desiring that he would speedily 
send up some stores to the fort, being very short on it for 
ammunition, and having discovered some signs of the enemy ; 

* The figures thus enclosed denote the J The same who was ambushed and 

original pagination of Mr. Norton's work, wounded at Fort Massachusetts, May 

•}■ In what is since the town of Heath, 9th, 1746. He had been a captive 

about eighteen miles north north west of among the Indians, and was recently 

Northampton, Mass. returned. 
2 



lo Norton's Redee??ied Captive. [1746. 

but the letter did not get to the captain seasonably. This day, 
also, two of our men being out a few miles distant from the 
fort, discovered the tracks of some of the enemy. 

Lord's day and Monday, 17th and i8th, we met with no 
disturbance, nor did we discover any enemy ; but t;he sickness 
was very distressing ; for though some began to amend, yet 
there were more taken sick. Eleven of our men were sick, 
and scarcely one of us in perfe6t health ; almost every man was 
troubled with the griping and flux. 

Tuesday, 19th. Between eight and nine o'clock in the 
[4] morning, when, through the good providence of God, we 
were all in the fort, twenty-two men, three women, and five 
children, there appeared an army of French and Indians, eight 
or nine hundred in number, commanded by Monsieur Regand 
de Vaudriile,* who, having surrounded the fort on every side, 
began with hideous acclamations to rush forward upon the fort, 
firing incessantly upon us on every side. Mr. Hawks, our 
officer, ordered that we should let them come without firing at 
all at them, until they should approach within a suitable distance, 
that we might have a good prospe6l of doing execution. 

We suffered them to come up in a body till they were 
within twenty rods of us, and then we fired ; upon which the 
enemy soon betook themselves to trees, stumps and logs, where 
they lay and fired incessantly upon us ; some taking opportunity 
to run from one tree and stump to another, and so drew nearer 
to the fort. This they did in a very subtle manner, running so 
rooked that it was very difficult to shoot at them with any 

* His real name was Pierre Fran9ois Cavagnal ; was born in Montreal, 8th 

Rigaud de Vaudreuil. He was brother February, 1704. He was living as late 

of the last French Governor of Canada, as 1770. See Morgan's Celebrated Cana- 

the Marquis, Pierre Fran9ois de Vaudreuil- dians, 46, 



1746.] Nortoris Redeemed Captive. 11' 

good prospe6l of success, until we observed, that when they 
came to a stump, they would fall down ; which we observing, 
prepared to catch them there as they fell down by the stumps ; 
and this we did probably with success j for they soon left off 
this method. About this time we saw several of the enemy 
fall and rise no more ; among which was the captain of the St. 
Francis Indians, who was one of the foremost, and called upon 
the rest to press on upon the fort. Sergeant Hawks got an 
opportunity to shoot him into the breast, which ended his days.* 

At the beginning of the engagement, the General sent his 
ensign with his standard (which he, standing [5] behind a tree 
about thirty rods distant from the fort, displayed), the General 
also walked up the hill within about forty rods of the fort, where 
he stood and gave his orders ; but being discovered he had a 
shot or two fired at him ; upon which he moved off; but pre- 
sently after comes to his ensign, where, being discovered, he 
received a shot in his arm, which made him retreat with his 
ensign to their camp. 

The enemy still continued to fire almost incessantly upon 
us, and many of them crept up within a dozen rods of the fort. 
We were straitened for want of shot. Several of our men 
being newly come into the service, and for want of bullet 
moulds, had not prepared for any long engagement, and therefore 
the sergeant ordered some of our sick men to make bullets, 
another to run some shot, having shot moulds. This put him 
upon taking particular notice of the ammunition, and he found 
it to be very short, and therefore gave orders that we should not 
fire any more than we thought necessary to hold the enemy 

* The name of this Chief does not ap- English recorded it. Though the St. Fran- 
pear to have been mentioned in the French cis tribe were represented at the treaties 
reports of the expedition, nor have the of 1735 and 1742, no names are given. 



12 Norton' s Redeemed Captive. [1746. 

back, unless when we had a very good opportunity and fair 
prospect of doing execution; so that we fired but little. We 
had sometimes very fair shot, and had success. We saw 
several fall, who, we are persuaded, never rose again. We 
might have shot at the enemy almost any time in the day, who 
were in open view of the fort, within fifty or sixty rods of the 
same, and sometimes within forty and less ; the officers some- 
times walking about, sword in hand, viewing of us, and others 
walking back and forth as they had occasion, without molesta- 
tion, for we dare not spend our ammunition upon them that 
were at such a distance. 

( Towards evening the enemy began to use their axes and 
hatchets. Some were thoughtful that they were preparing lad- 
[6] ders in order to storm the fort in the night ; but afterward 
we found our mistake, for they were preparing faggots in order 
to burn it. I This day they wounded two of our men, viz, 
John Aldrich they shot through the foot, and Jonathan Bridg- 
man with a flesh wound the back side of his hip. When the 
evening came on the sergeant gave orders that all the tubs, 
pails, and vessels of every sort, in every room, should be filled 
with water, and went himself to see it done ; he also looked to 
the doors, that they were made as fast as possible. He like- 
wise cut a passage from one room to another, that he might put 
the fort into as good a posture for defense as might be, in case 
they should attempt to storm it. He distributed the men into 
the several rooms. While he was thus preparing, he kept two 
men in the north-west mount,* and some in the great house, 
the south-east corner of the fort, to watch the enemy and keep 
them back. 

I was in the mount all the evening; it was cloudy and very 

* A sort of watch box in an angle or corner of the fort, on the top of the wall. 



1746 -J Norton* s Redeemed Captive. 13 

dark the beginning of the evening. The enemy kept a con- 
stant fire upon us, and, as I thought, approached nearer and in 
greater numbers than they had in the daytime. We had but 
little encouragement to fire upon the enemy, having but the 
light of their fire to direct us, yet we dared not vi^holly omit it, 
lest they should be emboldened to storm the fort. We fired 
buck-shot at them, and have reason to hope we did some exe- 
cution, for the enemy complained of our shooting buck-shot at 
that time, which they could not have known had they not felt 
some of them. uThey continued thus to fire upon us until 
between eight and nine at night, then the whole army (as we 
supposed) surrounded the fort, and shouted, or rather yelled, 
with the [7] most hideous outcries, all around the fort. This 
they repeated three or four times. We expeded they would 
have followed this with a storm, but were mistaken, for they 
directly set their watch all round the fort; and besides their 
watch they sent some to creep up as near the fort as they could, 
to observe whether any persons attempted to make their escape, 
to carry tidings to New England.* The body of the army 
then drew back to their camps ; some in the swamp west of 
the fort, the other part to the south-east, by the river side. 
We then considered what was best to be done; whether to send 
a post down to Deerfield or not. We looked upon it very 
improbable, if not morally impossible, for any men to get ofF 
undiscovered; and therefore the sergeant would not lay his 
commands upon any to go; but he proposed it to several, 
desired and encouraged them as far as he thought convenient ; 
but there was not a man willing to venture out. So the ser- 
geant, having placed the men in every part of the fort, he 

* It seems odd at this day, that but writing of a locality in Massachusetts, 
little more than a hundred years ago, one should refer to it as out of New England. 

3 



14 Norton' s Redeemed Captive. [1746. 

ordered all the sick and feeble men to get what rest they could, 
and not regard the enemy's acclamations, but to lie still all night, 
unless he should call for them. Of those that were in health, 
some were ordered to keep the watch, and some lay down and 
endeavored to get some rest ; lying down in our clothes, with 
our arms by us. I lay down the fore part of the night. We got 
little or no rest, the enemy frequently raised us by their hideous 
outcries as though they were about to attack us. The latter 
part of the night I kept the watch. 

Wednesday, 20. As soon as it began to be light the 
enemy shouted and began to fire upon us for a ^tw minutes, 
and then ceased for a little time. The serg[8]eant ordered 
every man to his place, and sent two men up into the watch- 
box. The enemy came into the field of corn to the south and 
south-east of the fort, and fought against that side of the fort 
harder than they did the day before ; but unto the north-west 
side they did not approach so near as they had the first day, yet 
they kept a continual fire on that side. A number went up 
also into the mountain north of the fort, where they could 
shoot over the north side of the fort into the middle of the 
parade. A considerable number of the enemy also kept their 
axes and hatchets continually at work, preparing faggots, and 
their stubbing hoes and spades, etc., in order to burn the fort. 
About eleven o'clock, Thomas Knowlton, one of our men, 
being in the watch-box, was shot through the head, so that 
some of his brains came out, yet life remained in him for some 
hours. 

About twelve o'clock, the enemy desired to parley. We 
agreed to it, and when we came to General De Voudriule, he 
promised us good quarter, if we would surrender; otherwise 
he should endeavor to take us by force. The sergeant told 



1746-] Norton's Redeemed Captive. 15 

him he should have an answer within two hours. We came 
into the fort and examined the state of it. The whole of our 
ammunition we did not judge to be above three or four pounds 
of powder, and not more lead : and, after prayers unto God for 
wisdom and direction, we considered our case, whether there 
was any probability of our being able to withstand the enemy 
or not ; for we supposed that they would not leave us till they 
had made a vigorous attempt upon us ; and if they did, we 
knew our ammunition would be spent in a few minutes time, 
and then we should be obliged [9] to lay at their mercy. Had 
we all been in health, or had there been only those eight of 
us that were in health, I believe every man would willingly 
have stood it out to the last. For my part I should ; but we 
feared, that if we were taken by violence, the sick, the wounded, 
and the women, would most, if not all of them, die by the 
hands of the savages; therefore our officer concluded to sur- 
render on the best terms he could get, which were, 

I. That we should be all prisoners to the French ; the 
general promising that the savages should have nothing to do 
with any of us. 

II. That the children should all live with their parents 
during the time of their captivity. 

III. That we should all have the privilege of being ex- 
changed the first opportunity that presented. 

Besides these particulars, the general promised that all the 
prisoners should have all christian care and charity exercised 
toward them ; that those who were weak and unable to travel, 
should be carried in their journey ; that we should all be allowed 



1 6 Norton's Redeemed Captive. [1746. 

to keep our clothing; and that we might leave a few lines to 
inform our friends what was become of us.* . 

About three of the clock we admitted the general and a 
number of his officers into the fort. Upon which he set up 
his standard. The gate was not opened to the rest. The 
gentlemen spake comfortably to our people ; and on our peti- 
tion that the dead corpse might not be abused, but buried. 
They said that it should be buried. But the Indians seeing 
that they were shut out, soon fell to pulling out the underpin- 
ning of the fort, and crept into it, opened the gates, so that the 
parade was quickly full. They [10] shouted as soon as they 
saw the blood of the dead corpse under the watch-box ; but 
the French kept them down for some time, and did not suffer 
them to meddle with it. After some time the Indians seemed 
to be in a ruffle; and presently rushed up into the watch-box, 
brought down the dead corpse, carried it out of the fort, scalped 
it, and cut off the head and arms. A young Frenchman took 
one of the arms and flayed it, roasted the flesh, and offered 
some of it to Daniel Smeed, one of the prisoners, to eat, but 
he refused it. The Frenchman dressed the skin of the arm 
(as we afterwards heard) and made a tobacco pouch of it.f 
After they had plundered the fort, they set it on fire, and led 
us out to their camp. 

We had been at their camp but a little time, when Mons. 
Doty, the general's interpreter, called me aside, and desired me 

* Mr. Norton accordingly wrote a brief enemies in this wayj but instances of 
letter, which he placed upon the well the white people imitating them are rare, 
crotch. It was afterwards found by the It is probably true that some of the Ken- 
English. Its contents are given in the tuckians, in the war of 1 812, were guilty 
history of this war, page 120. of such a£ts, after General Harrison's 

•}• It was no uncommon thing for the vidlory of the Thames, and perhaps at 

Indians to make use of the skin of their other times. 



1746-] Norton's Redeemed Captive. ij 

to speak to our soldiers, and persuade them to go with the 
Indians; for he said the Indians were desirous that some of 
them should go with them; and said that Sergeant Hawks, 
myself, and the families, should go with the French officers. 
I answered him, that it was contrary to our agreement, and the 
general's promise; and would be to throw away the lives of 
some of our men who were sick and wounded. He said, no ; 
but the Indians would be kind to them ; and though they were 
all prisoners to the French, yet he hoped some of them would 
be willing to go with the Indians. 

We spoke to Sergeant Hawks, and he urged it upon him. 
We proposed it to some of our men who were in health, 
whether they were willing to go or not, but they were utterly 
unwilling. I returned to Doty, and told him that we should by 
no means consent that any of our men should go with the 
Indians. [11] We took the General to be a man of honor, 
and we hoped to find him so. We knew that it was the man- 
ner of the Indians to abuse their prisoners, and sometimes to 
kill those that failed in traveling, and carrying packs, which we 
knew that some of our men could not do ; and we thought it 
but little better for the General to deliver them to the Indians 
than it would be to abuse them himself ; and had I thought 
that the general would have delivered any of our men to the 
savages, I should have strenuously opposed the surrender of 
the fort, for I had rather have died in fight, than to see any of 
our men killed while we had no opportunity to resist. He said 
that the general would see that they should not be abused ; and 
he did not like it that I was so jealous and afraid. I told him 
I was not the officer, but as he spake to me, so I had freely 
spoken my mind, and discharged my duty in it ; and he had no 
reason to be off^ended, and I hoped the general would not insist 



1 8 Norton s Redeemed Captive. [1746. 

on this thing, but would make good his promise to all the 
prisoners. He went to the general, and after a little time the 
officers came and took away John Perry and his wife, and all 
the soldiers but Sergeant Hawks, John Smeed, and Moses Scott, 
and their families, and distributed them among the Indians. 
Some French officers took the care of the families, namely, 
Smeed's and Scott's ; and Mons. Demuy * took me with him, 
and M. St. Luc Lacornf took Sergeant Hawks with him ; and 
so we reposed that night, having a strong guard set over us. 

Thursday, 21. In the morning I obtained liberty to go to 
the place of the fort, and set up a letter, which I did, with a 
Frenchman and some Indians in company. I nailed the letter 
on the west post. This [12] morning I saw Josiah Reed, who 
was very weak and feeble by reason of his long and tedious 
sickness. I interceded with the general for him, that he would 
not send him with the Indians, but could not prevail. I also 
interceded with the general for John Aldrich, who, being 
wounded in the foot, was not able to travel ; but the interpre- 
ter told me they must go with the Indians, but they should not 
be hurt ; and that they had canoes a little down the river, in 
which the weak and feeble should be carried. We then put 
up our things, and set on our march for Crown Point, going 
down the river in Hoosuck road. I was toward the front, and 
within about half a mile I overtook John Perry's wife ; I passed 
her. M. Demuy traveling apace. I spoke with her, and asked 
her how she did ? She told me that her strength failed her in 
traveling so fast. I told her God was able to strengthen her. 

* His name is variously written in the f Pierre de Chapt La Corne. He was 

French accounts, as De Muy, De Muyes, constantly employed till the fall of 

Dumui,etc. 5 he was a lieutenant in much Canada, and performed many exploits 

adtive service. against the English. 



1746.] Nortoris Redeemed Captive. 19 

In him she must put her trust, and I hoped she was ready for 
whatever God had to call her to. I had opportunity to say no 
more. We went about four miles to the place where the army 
encamped the night before they came upon us. Here I over 
took neighbor Perry, which surprised me, for I thought he had 
been behind me with the French, but he was with the Indians. 
I asked him after his health. He said that he was better than 
he had been. I inquired after his wife. He said he did not 
know where she was, but was somewhere with the Indians ; 
which surprised me very much ; for I thought till then she was 
with the French. 

Here we sat down for a considerable time. My heart was 
filled with sorrow, expedling that many of our weak and feeble 
people would fall by the merciless hands of the enemy. And 
as I frequently heard the [13] savages shouting and yelling, 
trembled, concluding that they then murdered some of our 
people. And this was my only comfort, that they could do 
nothing against us, but what God in his holy providence per- 
mitted them ; but was filled with admiration when I saw all 
the prisoners come up with us, and John Aldrich carried upon 
the back of his Indian master. We set out again, and had 
gone but a little way before we came up with Josiah Reed, 
who gave out. I expe61:ed they would have knocked him on 
the head and killed him, but an Indian carried him on his back. 
We made several stops, and after we had traveled about eight 
miles we made a considerable stay, where we refreshed our- 
selves, and I had an opportunity to speak to several of the 
prisoners ; especially John Smeed, and his wife, who, being 
near her time, was filled with admiration at the goodness of 
God in strengthening her to travel so far. 

I saw John Perry's wife. She complained that she was 



20 Norton* s Redeefned Captive. [1746. 

almost ready to give out. She complained also of the Indian 
that she went with, that he threatened her. I talked with a 
French officer, and he said that she need not fear, for he would 
not be allowed to hurt her. Mons. Demuy, with a number of 
men, set out before the army, so I took my leave of her, fear- 
ing I should never see her more. After this Sergeant Hawks 
went to the general and represented her case to him. So he 
went and talked to the Indians, and he was kind to her after 
this. After we had traveled round the fields, I thought he was 
about to leave the river, which increased my fears. But I 
found out the reason ; for they only went to look some build- 
ings to plunder, and burn them. A little before sunset we 
arrived at Vandeverickes place, where we found [14] some of 
the army, who had arrived before us, but most of them were 
still behind ; and I had the comfort to see the greatest part of 
the prisoners come up : God having wonderfully strengthened 
many who were weak ; the French carrying the women. 
There were some few that tarried behind about two miles, 
where Mrs. Smeed was taken in travail : And some of the 
French made a seat for her to sit upon, and brought her to the 
camp, where, about ten o'clock, she was graciously delivered of 
a daughter, and was remarkably well. The child also was 
well. But this night Josiah Reed, being very ill, either died of 
his illness, or else was killed by the enemy ; which, I could 
never certainly know, but I fear he was murdered.* 

Friday, 22. This morning I baptised John Smeed's child. 
He called its name CAPTIVITY. The French then made a 
frame like a bier, and laid a buck skin and bear skin upon it, 

* It might not have been perfedlly clear the captives, that the man died of his 
to Mr. Norton when he wrote the above, malady. No captives were probably ever 
but it was made clear after the return of treated better under similar circumstances. 



1746-] Nortoris Redeemed Captive. 21 

and laid Mrs. Smeed, with her infant, thereon; and so two 
men at a time carried them. They also carried Moses Scott's 
wife and two children, and another of Smeed's children. The 
Indians also carried in their canoes, Br. Simon and John Aldrich 
and Perry's wife, down the river about ten miles. 

We had remarkable smiles of Providence. Our men that 
had been sick, grew better and recovered strength. The 
enemy killed some cattle which they found in the meadow ; so 
that we had plenty of fresh provisions and broth, which was 
very beneficial to the sick. I then expressed a concern for 
the feeble people, understanding that we were to leave the 
river, and travel through the wilderness near sixty miles ; but 
Mons. Demuy told me I need not fear, for the general had 
promised those Indians a reward who [15] had the care of the 
feeble persons, if they would be kind and carry them through 
the journey. 

This night I visited most of the prisoners. This night, 
also, died two Indians of their wounds. The enemy had got 
four horses. 

Saturday, 23. This morning the general sent off an offi- 
cer with some men to carry news to Canada. This day we 
left the river and traveled in the wilderness, in something of a 
path, and good traveling for the wilderness, something east of 
north, about fifteen miles ; the French still carrying Smeed's 
and Scott's wives and children ; the Indians finding horses for 
brothers Simon and John Aldrich. Perry being released from 
his pack, was allowed to help his wife, and carry her when she 
was weary. About three in the afternoon they were alarmed 
by discovering the trades of a scout from Saratoga. This put 
them into a considerable ruffle, fearing that there might be an 
army after them. But I presumed that they need not be con- 
4 



22 Norton s Redeemed Captive. [^74^. 

cerned about it. The body of the army lodged between two 
ponds, but part, with a number of the prisoners, were sent 
forward about two miles, till they crossed Sarratago river ; * it 
is there twenty rods wide, but shallow water. This night also 
died two more Indians of their wounds. 

Lord's day, 24. This day we set out in the morning and 
came to Sarratago river, crossed it, and came to our company, 
which had been before us. Here we came to a rich piece of 
meadow ground, and traveled in it about five miles. We had 
good traveling this day. We crossed several pieces of good 
meadow land. We went about eighteen [16] miles. John 
Perry's wife performed this day's journey without help from 
any. Our sick and feeble persons were remarkably preserved 
to-day ; for about two o'clock in the afternoon, there fell a 
very heavy shower of rain, which wet us through all our 
clothes. Mrs. Smeed was as wet as any of us, and it being 
the third day after her delivery, we were concerned about 
the event ; but through the good providence of God, she never 
perceived any harm by it, nor did any other person but Miriam, 
the wife of Moses Scot, who hereby catched a grievous cold. 
This night we lodged in the meadow, where was a run of 
water, which makes a part of Wood Creek. 

Monday, 25. This morning we set out and traveled about 
eleven miles. We had something rough traveling to-day. 
We quickly left the small stream we lodged by at our right 
hand to the east of us, and, traveling a few miles over some small 
hills and ledges, came to a stream running from east to west,t 

* This was doubtless the Hudson river, f Hence they were at a stream which 

but the place of crossing is difficult to be falls into Lake George 5 having its rise in 

ascertained. The tivo ponds &o not ap- the vicinity of Wood Creek; the latter 

pear on any maps in the editor's posses- having its rise in Kingsbury, near the 

sion. Hudson. The Indian name of Lake 



1746.] Norton s Redeemed Captive. 23 

about two or three rods in width, and about two feet deep. 
We crossed it, our general course being north. We traveled 
about two or three miles farther and came to a stream running 
from south-west to north-east, about six rods in width, which 
we crossed. And this stream (which we suppose to be Wood 
Creek*), according to the best of my remembrance, and 
according to the short minute that I made of this day's travel, 
we left at our right hand to the east of us ; but Sergeant Hawks 
thinks I am mistaken, and that we crossed it again, and left it 
at the left hand, west of us. I won't be certain, but I cannot 
persuade myself that [17] I am mistaken. f The French and 
Indians helping our feeble people, we all arrived well at our 
camp, which was by a couple of ponds. Some few who were 
before us went to the drowned land. J 

Tuesday, 26. This day we took our journey. Our 
course in the morning something west of north. In traveling 
about three or four miles we came to a mountain, a steep 
ascent, about eighty or one hundred rods, but not rocky. After 
we passed this mountain, our course was about west, five or six 
miles, till we came to the drowned lands. When we came to 
the canoes, the stream ran from north-east to south-west. § 
We embarked about two o'clock ; the stream quickly turned 

George is Caniad-eri-oity signifying t/ie Creek. 

tail of the lake. It is the Lac du Sacre- J These extend some three miles along 

ment of the French. Wood Creek the South River on the east side, beginning 

Indians called Ossa-vages. near Lake Champlain. The Indians call 

* No doubt that branch of Wood them Ond-cri-que-gon, or the conflux of 

Creek which falls into the main stream waters. Bossier's Map, drawn by order of 

at what is since Fort Anne — the summit Gen. Amherst, 1762. 
level of the Champlain canal. | East Creek corresponds to this ; now 

f Their difficulty seems to have been called Pawlet river, I suppose, which has 

in mistaking a branch for the real Wood its rise in what is Dorset, Vermont. 



24 Norton's Redeemed Captive. [1746. 

and ran to the north. We sailed about eighteen or twenty 
miles that night, and encamped on the east side of the water. 

Wednesday, 23. [27th.] We embarked about nine o'clock, 
and sailed to Crown Point,* something better than twenty 
miles. Some of the army went in the night before, and some 
before the body of the army. The sails were pulled down, 
and the canoes brought up abreast, and passed by the fort over 
to the north-east point, saluting the fort with three volleys, as 
we passed by it. The fort returning the salute by the dis- 
charge of the cannon. This was about twelve o'clock. Here 
we tarried till the 4th of September. I lodged in an house on 
the north-east point. We all arrived better in health than when 
we were first taken. 

Thursday, 28. This day I was invited by Monsieur 
Demuy to go over and see the fort, which I did. It is some- 
thing an irregular form, having five sides [18] to it ; the ram- 
parts twenty feet thick, the breast work two feet and half; the 
whole about twenty feet high. There were twenty-one or 
twenty-two guns upon the wall ; some four and six pounders, 
and there may be some as large as nine pounders. The citadel 
an odlagon built, three stories high, fifty or sixty feet diameter, 
built with stone laid in lime, the wall six or seven feet thick, 
arched over the second and third stories for bomb proof. In 
the chambers nine or ten guns ; some of them may be nine 
pounders, and I believe none less than six, and near twenty 
patararoes.f But as my time was short I cannot be very par- 

* The French built a fort there in f How much of a £-j^n a /'acararof was, 

1 72 1, which they named Fort St. Frederic, it would have been well if the author had 

The Indians gave that spot the name of informed us, as we may travel from 

Tek-ya-dough-nigartgccy which signifies Blount to Webster without finding out. 

two points opposite to each other. Baz- Perhaps derived from the Spanish petardo, 

sier, ibidem. or, pataremo. 



1746-] Norton s Redeemed Captive. 25 

ticular. They have stores of small arms, as blunderbusses, 
pistols and muskets. This night proved very cold and stormy. 

Friday, 29. This morning Smeed's and Scot's families 
were brought out of their tents into the house, that they might 
be more comfortable. It rained and w^as very cold all the day, 
and at night the vv^ind w^as very high. 

Saturday the 30th w^as something vs^armer. 

Lord's day, 31. We had the liberty of w^orshiping God 
together in a room by ourselves. This day, about twelve 
o'clock, the enemy who went off from us from Hoosuck, the 
morning after we were taken, returned, and brought in six 
scalps, viz, Samuel Allen, Eleazer Hawks, Jun., two Amsdels, 
all of Deerfield ; Adonijah Gillet of Colchester, Constant Bliss 
of Hebron, and one captive, viz., Samuel Allen, son to him 
who was killed. He was taken with his father and Ealeazer 
Hawks. The Amsdells and Gillet were killed in Deerfield 
South Meadow, August 25th. The Indians also acknowledged 
they lost one man there.* This lad [19] told us they had not 
then heard in Deerfield of their taking fort Massachusetts. A 
young Hatacook f Indian was his master, and carried him to 
St. Francois. 

Monday, Sept. i. Tuesday, 2. Wednesday, 3. We 
tarried still at Crown Point. The weather was something 
lowry, but warm. I lived with the general and about half a 
dozen more ofiicers, who lodged in the same house. Our diet 
was very good, it being chiefly fresh meat and broth, which was 
a great benefit to me. We had also plenty of Bourdeaux wine, 
which being of an astringent nature, was a great kindness to 
me (having at that time something of the griping and bloody 

* See History of the Five Tears War, -j- Perhaps a misprint for Scattacook, 

pp. 125, 126. or Sckaghticoke. 



26 Norton's Redeemed Captive. [1746. 

flux). While we lay here, we wrote a letter to the Hon. John 
Stoddard, Esq., at Northampton, to give him a particular 
account of our fight and surrender; as also some other private 
letters; the French gentlemen giving us encouragement that 
they would send them down by some of their scouts to some 
part of our frontiers, and leave them so that they should be 
found ; but I have not heard of them since, and conclude that 
they destroyed them.* 

Thursday, 4. We embarked for Canada about ten o'clock, 
and sailed about fifteen miles. Our course, I judged to be 
north, about io° east, which I take to be the general course 
from Crown Point to Champlain. Towards night we turned 
into a cove, the east side of the lake, and encamped, having 
the land upon the south-west, south and east of us. Here we 
were to wait for General De Vaudriule, whom we left at Crown 
Point, and expe6ted would come to us this night or in the morn- 
ing; but the night proved very stormy. 

[20] Friday, 5. The wind blowing hard from the north, 
and some rain, we lay by to-day. 

Saturday, 6. About nine o'clock this morning the general 
came up with us ; then we embarked and sailed with a pretty 
good wind the bigger part of the day. Towards night we saw 
a few houses on the west side of the lake, but I suppose that 
they were deserted. We sailed at least three score miles this 
day. We came to where the lake was but a few miles in width, 
and encamped on the east shore, where there was a windmill 
and a few houses, but were all deserted. f 



* One certainly found its way to the •}• No doubt the place afterwards called 

English, and was seen by Deacon Wright. Windmill Point by the English, and not 
See N.E. Hist, and Gen. Reg., II, 210. far from the mouth of Onion river. 



1 746. J Norton s Redeemed Captive. 27 

Lord's day, 7. We rose early and set sail as soon as it was 
fair day-light, having a good wind, but the wind fell about eight 
o'clock, that they were obliged to ply their paddles. When we 
came to the end of the lake, about eleven o'clock, and were 
entering Champlain * river, we met a boat with three men in it, 
who brought a packet of letters for the officers in the army. 
They gave one to Mons. Demuy. After reading the letter he 
told me the news he had by them, viz., that there were a number 
of ships arrived from France to Quebec, who had brought them 
plenty of stores ; that they came in company with a fleet of 
forty large men of war from the Brest and Toulon squadron ; 
and gave the following account ; that the English fleet having 
blocked up the Brest squadron in the harbor, the admiral of the 
Brest squadron wrote to the admiral of the Toulon and Roch- 
fort squadrons to come to his assistance ; who, coming on the 
back of the English fleet, and the Brest squadron issuing out at 
the same time against them, there ensued a terrible [21] fight, in 
which the French prevailed, and sunk one-half of the English 
ships, and put the rest to flight, and then they sailed for North 
America ;f that the King sent with them twelve merchant 

* Chambly or Chamblee river is un- coast until the beginning of September ; 
doubtedly meant 5 called also Richelieu, and then in too shattered a condition to 
and Sorel, by the French. Further on be feared. His fleet of men of war and 
the same error is noted, where the author transports amounted to about ninety- 
speaks of Champlain fort. He did not seven sail ; fourteen were ships of war, 
distinguish between Champlain and Cham- with three thousand five hundred troops. 
hlee. His fleet was watched by the English, 

f There appears to have been abso- and some of his ships taken. Capt. Leke 

lutely nothing out of which this great took one of sixty-four guns ; Saumarez 

fabrication was made. It refers to the one of sixty-four ; Boscawen one of fifty, 

mighty fleet under the Due D'Anville, and so forth. The other French squad- 

which was then in mid ocean, it having ron referred to was probably that of M. 

left Brest on the azd of June (1746), De Tourmell. Saumarez was with Anson 

but did not appear on the New England in his late voyage round the world. 



28 Nortoris Redeemed Captive. [1746. 

ships with stores of ammunition, clothing, wine, and brandy, 
and a thousand soldiers to strengthen Canada ; that the men of 
war were divided into two fleets, one of which did now block 
up Louisbourg, and were fighting against it, and the other part 
of the fleet was gone for Boston. He said their King was very 
angry with New England for their taking Cape Breton ; and it 
was probable he would bring them into subje6lion. He told me 
also that they brought news that Edward Stuart, the Pretender's 
youngest son, was in the North of England, and had a powerful 
army ; and that great numbers of English resorted to him daily,* 
and it was probable he would prevail to dethrone King George. 
I told him that, as for this and the fight at sea, I had good 
reason to think they were false, for I had news from England 
since the Brest fleet had sailed out, and there was no account of 
these things, but the contrary. He told me also that Prince 
William, the Duke of Cumberland,t was killed in battle at 
Culloden-Muir, and that he was the only person of the House 
of Hanover which the English nation loved ; so that although 
the King's army got the vi6lory, yet it was a loss to his interest ; 
for the Duke being dead, the English nation would revolt from 
the House of Hanover, being weary of it, and turn to the 
House of Stuart. But I told him that the Duke of Cumber- 
land was yet alive, and as he had been a scourge and terror to 
the King's enemies, so we had reason to hope he would still be. 
He grew warm in his debate, called the King [22] a usurper, 
the nation in bringing of him in, Cromwell's faction, and many 

* This, though guess-work, was much f William Augustus, brother of George 

nearer the real state of the case than the II. He died sine prole, ijS^. He put 

other part of the story. They probably down the Pretender, but showed himself 

had heard of the defeats of the King's quite as much of a barbarian as those 

men at Falkirk Moor, Inverness, etc. whom he conquered. 



1746-] Nortoris Redeemed Captive. 29 

other things, upon which we had a considerable debate, until he 
grew more mild and began to flatter ; and told me what an 
amiable man the Pretender was, and what good times it would 
be if he came to the throne of England 5 giving free liberty of 
conscience to all his subje£ls ; and he did not doubt but that 
they would return to the church of Rome, which was the true 
church. Our children, he believed, would come to a good 
union in religion. 

We went on shore at the first house, about three miles above 
the fort,* where they were called together, and said their 
prayers ; and as soon as they had done, Mons. Dumuy read his 
letter. Upon which they all shouted, crying, Vive le Roy : 
q. d. Let the King live. Upon which several of the young 
men came laughing to me, and by signs endeavored to inform 
me what the news was. I concluded that these fine tales were 
framed and sent to meet the army, in order to keep up the 
courage of the common people and of the Indians, who seemed 
to repent of their engaging in the war, and to grow very weary 
of it. Though I found afterwards that the Brest fleet was 
actually come over, with a design against New England. 

From thence we traveled down to Champlain,t where the 
gentlemen set up their tents, and we had great numbers to visit 
us of both sexes. There I expe6ted we should have tarried 
that night. But a Httle before the sun setting, M. Dumuy 
came and ordered his canoe's company to embark, and go down 
the river ; and told me I must go with them, and whatever I 
stood in need of, his people would [23] give me : And indeed 
I wanted nothing ; having good fresh provisions and plenty of 
wine to drink ; but was something surprised at this sudden 

* Chambke, or perhaps more probable, f Chamblee. The author perhaps had 

Fort St. John. no maps to refer to. 

5 



oo Norton's Redeemed Captive. [1746. 

remove, and could never know the reason of it, unless it was 
this, viz, some of the French and Indians going out from 
Crown Point, while I lay there, fell on a number of our men 
near Saratago ; had killed some and taken some prisoners, and 
were come to Champlain with one of them ; and they wanted 
to get what news from him they could, and so chose to get me 
out of the way, and some others, lest we might give him a cau- 
tion ; and he really wanted a caution, for he told them that 
which he had better have kept to himself, viz, the miserable 
circumstances of Sarrtago fort.* 

We sailed down the river about three miles, and lodged at 
a poor man's house, who, according to his ability, was courteous 
to me. I lodged with him in his own bed, which was the first 
bed I had lodged in since my captivity ; and though it was a 
hard bed, and destitute of linnen, yet it was very comfortable 
to me. 

Monday, 8. This morning there came an Englishman to 
see me ; his name Littlefield. He was taken a lad from Pis- 
cataqua, and so continued with the French and lived, having a 
family at Champlain. f We had a considerable discourse 
together. About eight o'clock we embarked ; some canoes 
passing down the river on the opposite side. We sailed over 
the river and met with Mons. Dumuy and took him in. We 
sailed down the river about fifteen miles and dined with a priest. 
The country on Champlain | river appeared very poor ; it being 
cold sour land. It is inhabited on each side, but the buildings 
are [24] generally but poor huts. This day Mons. Dumuy 

* This affair is mentioned in the Par- were great sufferers in the earlier Indian 

ticular History of the Fi-ve Tears War^ wars. See Penhalloiu, Indian Wars, pp. 

page 127. 44,47,71. 

f Persons of the name of Littlefield J Chamblee. 



1 749-] Norton's Redeemed Captive. 31 

tells me another piece of news, viz, ' that one of their men of 
war had taken an English man of war near Louisbourg, after 
a whole day's engagement ; that the blood was midleg deep 
upon the Englishmen's deck when he surrendered.' I told him 
they fought courageously. He said, ' True, but they were 
taken notwithstanding.' He said ' they had taken three hun- 
dred and twenty men out of her, who were coming up to Que- 
bec, where I should meet them.' This was nothing but the 
Albany sloop, one of the men of war's tenders, which Governor 
Knowles sent with a packet from Louisbourg for Boston. 
There were but seventy men in her. She was taken by a 
French man of war near Jebuila. About two o'clock it began 
to rain, and continued a cold rain all the rest of the day. We 
sailed down the river between thirty and forty miles, and then 
carried over our canoes and packs across the land to St. Law- 
rence, which was about three miles ; and we came to it above 
Lozel,* and there we lodged that night, in a French house. 

Tuesday, 9. This morning being something lowery, we 
did not set out very early. The wind was northeasterly and 
pretty high. About nine o'clock we set sail up the river for 
Mountreal. It was good sailing. We dined at a French 
gentleman's house on the eastern shore. There was an Irish 
do6lor came and dined with us — his name O'Sullivan. He 
pretended a great deal of respeil for me, and compassion 
towards all the prisoners ; a great deal of friendship to the 
English nation, and especially for the House of Hanover ; and 
he inquired after the state of Scotland, and pretended to rejoice 
that the Duke of [25] Cumberland had got such a victory over 
the Pretender and the rebels. But I presently found he grew 
weary in hearing the particulars ; and therefore to mortify him 

* Sorrel is doubtless the place meant. The outlet of Lake Champlain. 



32 Nortoris Redeemed Captive. [1746. 

the more, I told him all that I could ; * then we set sail and 
went within about five miles of Mount Real. The weather was 
something tedious, and it rained in the afternoon. 

Wednesday, 10. This morning it rained very hard till near 
ten o'clock, about which time the general and some others 
passed by us, and we embarked dire£tly upon it, and arrived at 
Mount-Real about twelve o'clock. 

Mons. Demuy took me to the Governors. He said but little 
to me. He only told me, that for the time I tarried at Mount- 
Real, I should keep at Mons. Demuy's, but that after a few 
days he must send me with the rest of the prisoners, to Quebec. 
I went with Mons. Demuy, and was courteously entertained 
by him for the time I tarried at Mount-Real. In the afternoon 
came an Englishwoman to visit me. She was, I judged, between 
sixty and seventy years of age. She was taken when a child 
from Merrimack-River. Her name Hannah Rie. She had 
been married to a Frenchman, by whom she had four children, 
three sons and one daughter. Her daughter was married and 
had several children, and came to see me. I saw also one of 
her sons. She had been a widow about fourteen years, but 
was under very comfortable circumstances. There was another 
Englishwoman came to see me, who was taken from the east- 
ward, but I have forgot both her name and place where she 
was taken from. 

Friday [Thursday], ii. This day I tarried at Mons. 
Demuy's, where the Major of the town visited me. He told 
[26] me that he married an Englishwoman whose name was 
Storer.f She was taken when a child by Indians, from Pisca- 

* The author appears to have suspefted f Mention was often made of child- 

Dr. O'SuUivan's sincerity with no good ren being carried off by the Indians, 

reason, judging from anything which he without any family being named; as in 

tells us. this case : " 1710. This summer, four 



1746'] Norton's Kedeetned Captive. 33 

taqua ; that one of his sons was down at the taking of us. 
Mrs. St. La Germine, one of his wife's cousins, who was also 
taken with her, came with the major, and was able to discourse 
in the English tongue. She told me that the Rev. Mr. Storer* 
of Watertown was her brother, and that she wanted to hear 
from her friends ; but I was not acquainted with any of them. 

Friday, 12. This day, about two o'clock in the afternoon, 
we embarked in boats, and set sail for Quebec, and sailed down 
the river about five leagues. There were all that were taken 
with me but six men who were yet with the Indians, and John 
Perry's wife, who was at the Three-Rivers. There were also 
four Dutch with us, who were taken near Sarratago. We 
lodged in a house upon the north-west side of the St. Law- 
rence's river. 

Saturday, 13. This day we had a fair wind, and sailed 
down the river twenty-five leagues, when we arrived at the 
Three Rivers. We went into an inn. The general and some 
others of the gentlemen which went down with us, presently 
went out to the Governors, leaving only their soldiers to guard 
us. And after a little time the Governor sent for Sergeant 
Hawks and me to come and sup with him. Accordingly we 
went, and were courteously and sumptuously entertained by 
him ; and while we sat at supper the gentlemen fell into dis- 
course about the wars, and about the wounds they had received. 
The general's wound was discoursed upon, and the Governor 
desired Sergeant Hawks to show his scars, which he did. The 

children are taken at Exeter while at play." Discourses, 12. He died Nov. ay, 1774, 

Belknap (Farmer's edition), 178. ae. 72. ^. B. Fuller's Record, He was 

* The Rev. Seth Storer was ordained born in Saco, the son of Col. Joseph 

at W., 22 July, 1724. Francis, jS. The Storer. ^llen. Benjamin Storer was killed 

author speaks of notes in Mr. Storer's old at Wells, April 12, 1677. Hubbard. 

Almanacs, which he had seen. TAree Indian Wars, II, 230. 



34 Norton s Redeemed Captive. [1746. 

Gover[27]nor then informed us of a fight he had been in at 
sea in former wars, in which he received fifteen \vounds, and 
he shewed us several scars. This I thought was a very 
remarkable thing, that he should receive so many wounds, and 
yet have his life spared. This night John Perry's wife was 
also brought to us, and added to our number. 

Lord's day, 14. We set sail, but received little help from 
the wind. The soldiers were obliged to row the greatest part 
of the day ; but at night, the tide favoring of us, we sailed till 
two or three o'clock in the morning. We sailed in the day 
and night twenty-three leagues. Then we went on shore the 
north-west side of the river, and lodged at a house in a small 
village. 

Monday, 15. This day we sailed seven leagues and came 
to Quebec. We were landed at the east point of the town, 
where St. Lawrence meets with Loretto,* and were condu6led 
up by a number of soldiers through the lower town to the 
Governor General's, f where I was taken into his private room, 
and he desired me to tell him what news we had in New Eng- 
land. I told him of considerable news we had from Europe 
concerning the Duke of Cumberland's vidlory over the rebels. 
He seemed to have a great mind to persuade me that the Duke 
was killed, but I told him he was alive and well. I told him 
of several other pieces of news, but none very good for the 
French. He told me he had heard that we designed an expe- 
dition against Canada. He asked what there was in it. I told 

* A small village of Christian Indians, converts here, resembling that in the 
three leagues north-east of Quebec. It famous Italian sandtuary. These con- 
has its name from a chapel built accord- verts are Hurons. Morse. 
ing to the model of the Santa Casa at f Roland Michel Barrin, Count de la 
Loretto in Italy; from which an image Galissoniere was at this time Governor of 
of the Holy Virgin has been sent to the New France. 



1746-] Nor tori s Redeemed Captive. 35 

him that I lived at a great distance from Boston, and could say 
but little about it. I had heard that his Majesty had sent over 
to some of the governors in America, that he had thoughts of 
an ex[28]pedition against Canada, and w^ould have them in 
readiness to assist him, in case he should send a fleet over. He 
inquired vi'hat it was that had put it by. Something, he said, 
was the matter. I told him I could not tell ; so he seemed to 
be pretty easy. 

After this I was conducted to the Lord Intendants, who 
inquired also after news, both of me and Sergeant Hawks ; 
after which he gave us a glass of wine ; then we were con- 
duiled to the prisoner's house, which is a guard-house standing 
by a battery towards the south-west end of the town, about 
one hundred and fifty feet in length, and twenty in width, and 
two stories high ; and we made to the number of one hundred 
and five prisoners. Here we had the free liberty of the exer- 
cise of our religion together, which was matter of comfort to 
us in our affli6lion. Sergeant Hawks and myself were put into 
the Captain's room, where we found three English masters of 
vessels, viz, Mr. William Chapman of Maryland, Mr. James 
Southerland * of Cape Cod, and Capt. William Potef of Casco 
Bay, who had all been prisoners near sixteen months. 

Tuesday, 16. This day there came some gentlemen to 
see me, among whom was Mr. Joseph Portois, who under- 
stands the English tongue, and Mr. Pais, who, Mr. Portois told 
me, was his kinsman, and that he was a protestant, and came 

* The name of Southerland or Suther- f He belonged to Portland ; went there 

land is of rare occurrence In New Eng- from Marblehead ; had seven sons ; built 

land records. It occurs but twice in the the two story house near Woodford's 

twenty-three volumes of the Neiv Eng. Corner on the old road from Portland. 

Hist, and Gen. Register, and then with See Willis, Portland, 637, where other 

no reference to a Cape Cod residence. interesting particulars may be found. 



36 Norton's Redeemed Captive. [ 1 74^. 

on purpose to see me, and to shew me a kindness. He gave 
me twenty-four livres in cash. From this time to the 23d, 
there was nothing remarkable happened, only this : — that the 
Jesuits and some unknown gentlemen, understanding I was 
short on it for clothing, sent me several shirts, a good winter 
coat, some caps, a pair of stockings, and a few handkerchiefs, 
which were very acceptable. 

[29] Tuesday, 23. Capt. William Pote was taken ill with 
the fever and flux. Jacob Reed was also taken with the same. 
This day came into prison two of our men who had been with 
the Indians, viz, David Warren, and Phinehas Forbush, who 
informed that John Aldrich was in the hospital at Mount-Real. 
They informed us, also, concerning some other prisoners who 
were taken from New England, and with the Indians. 

Wednesday, 24. There came unto prison forty-three new 
prisoners, who were taken at sea by a couple of French men of 
war. Among whom was Mr. William Lambert, master of the 
Billinder,* one of the men of war's tenders, who was taken 
near JebucSta, as she was going from Louisbourg to Boston, and 
Zephaniah Pinkham, master of a whaling sloop from Nan- 
tucket j and John Phillips, master of a fishing schooner from 
Marblehead. 

Thursday and Friday, 25, 26. There came in about seventy- 
four prisoners, all taken at sea by the aforesaid men of war ; 
among whom were several masters of vessels. This day f 
there also came in Jacob Shepherd, who was taken with me, 
and had been with the Indians, and one widow Briant, taken 
the spring before, near Casco Bay. There was nothing further 

* Properly Bylander. A coasting ves- f October i, Jacob Shepard, of West- 

sel, so named as expressive of its along- borough, taken at Hoosuck, was brought 

short use. I do not know why it is not to prison. Oftober 3, Jonathan Bather- 

in the didlionaries. ick was brought to prison. Hoiv, 19. 



174^-] Norton s Redeemed Captive. 37 

remarkable in this month ; so that we were by this time 
increased to the number of two hundred and twenty-six. 

Lord's day, October 5. There came in seventeen prison- 
ers, viz, three of our men, Nathaniel Hitchcock, Stephen Scot, 
and John Aldrich ; two taken by Indians at the Eastward, viz, 
Richard Stubs,* and Pike Gordon ; and twelve from the Bay 
Verde. 

Lord's day, 12. There came twenty-four men taken at 
sea by the Lazora and Le Castore men of war. 

[30] Wednesday, 22. I sent a petition to his lordship the 
General of Canada or New France, to permit me to go home 
to New England, upon a parole of honor, setting me a suitable 
time, and I would return again to him ; but I could not prevail. 

Thursday, 23. Edward Cloutman and Robert Dunbar, 
two prisoners, broke prison and made their escape. But it was 
found put the next morning, and we were upon it threatened to 
be confined to our rooms, but this threatening was never 
executed ; the only consequent in respeit to us was to have a 
stridler guard kept about us ; but they sent out a number of 
men in pursuit after them.f 

Friday, 31. Mr. Phillips and Mr. Pinkham, with about a 
dozen of their men, went out from us in order to return home ; 
but they went by the way of the West Indies. J 

Here I shall speak of the sickness that prevailed among 
the prisoners. It had generally been very healthy in the prison 
before this fall ; for though there had been some prisoners there 
sixteen months, and about fifty nine months, yet there had but 

* Taken at New Casco. Ibidem, and brought ten scalps to Montreal. 

061. 19. Six seamen are brought to pri- Hoiv, 19. 

son. Od. 20. Jacob Read died. Ibidem. \ They may have been exchanged. 

•j- Odl. 27. A man was brought to pri- The author seems not to have known on 

son, and says the Indians took five more, what terms they went away. 

6 



38 Norton's Redeemed Captive. [1746- 

two died ; the first, Lawrence Platter.* He was taken at 
Sarratago, Nov. 17, 1745, and died the winter following. 

Johnes,t taken at Contoocook in the summer, 1 746, and 

died in August following. 

But our people who were taken at sea by the two French 
men of war, viz, the Lazora and Le Castore, found a very mortal 
epidemical fever raged among the French on board their ships, 
of which many of them died. The prisoners took the infec- 
tion, and a greater part of them were sick while they lay [31] 
in Jebu<£l:a I harbor; yet but one or two of them died of it. 
And when they set out from thence for Menis, some of them 
were sick, and some they left sick at Menis when they set out 
for Canada. Some of them were taken with the distemper 
upon their passage to Canada, and so brought the infection into 
the prison ; and the fever being epidemical, soon spread itself 
into the prisons to our great distress. 

Those who brought it into the orison mostly recovered, 
and so there were many others that had it and recovered ; but 
the recovery of some was but for a time, — many of them 
relapsed and died. It put me in mind of that text, Jude, ver. 
5, ' I will therefore put you in reynenihrance^ tho' ye once knew this^ 
how that the Lord having saved the people out of the Land of Egypt ^ 
afterwards destroyed them that believe not."" Not that I have any 
reason to think ill of those upon whom the sickness fell, and 
who died with it. Many of them, I hope, were truly pious 
and godly persons. I thought we might very properly take up 
the Lamentation of Jeremiah, Lam. i, 18. ' The Lord is 

* Plaffer is probably the name in- J Chebudtto, a bay and harbor on the 
tended. See Particular History, 86, 87, S. S. E. coast of- Nova Scotia. Near its 
where will be found an account of the head, on the west side, is Halifax, set- 
depredation in which he was taken. tied by the English in 1749. See Morse, 

■}• Thomas Jones. See Ibidem, 95. Gazetteer, ed. 1797, art. Chebucto. 



174^-] Norton s Redeemed Captive. 39 

righteous^ for I have rebelled against his commandment. Hear I 
pray for you^ all people^ and behold my sorrow. My virgins and 
my young men are gone into captivity.^ Ver. 20. * Abroad the 
sword devour eth^ at home there is death.' 

Monday, 20. Jacob Reed died. He was taken at Gor- 
ham-Town, near Casco Bay, April 19, 1746.* 

November i. This day died John Reed, son to Jacob 
Reed, deceased. He had been a soldier in Annapolis, and was 
taken near the fort by some Indians, May 9, 1745. 

Nov. 10. Died one Davis,t a soldier belonging [32] 

to the King's forces at Louisbourg. He was taken on the 
island of St. John's, July loth, 1746. 

Nov. 13. Died John Bingham. He belonged to Phila- 
delphia, and was taken at sea, May 22, 1745. 

Nov. 17, died Nathan Eames.J He belonged to Marl- 
borough in the province of the Massachusetts Bay, was taken 
with me at Fort Massachusetts, August 20, 1746. 

Nov. 18. Died at night, Andrew Sconce. He was taken 
near Albany, August 17th, 1747. 

Nov. 20. Died John Grote of Shenedtada. He was taken 
April 27th, i746.§ 

About this time II there came into prison two men who 
were taken at Sheepscot in the eastward. Their names Robert 
Adams and John McNeer. They were taken October 20th. 

* See Particular History, etc., page a Nathaniel, who died, he says, Jan. ist, 

90. 1746- 

f John Davis, and he died Nov. 9. \ On the same day, Mr. Norton mar- 
How, 19. ried the two captives, Leonard Lydle and 

\ He was doubtless a descendant of Mrs. Sarah Briant. His reason for not 

Thomas Eames of Sudbury, who was so mentioning it in his narrative may be 

great a sufferer in Philip's war. Barry conjeftured. 
(in his Framingham) has no Nathan, but || November 19th. Hoiv, 19. 



40 Norton's Redeemed Captive. [ 1 746. 

They informed that one of their neighbors, named Anderson, 
was then killed.* 

The sickness increasing and spreading itself so greatly, we 
sent a very humble petition to his Lordship, the Governor 
General, intreating that the sick might be removed out of the 
hospital, least the whole prison should be infedled ; but he 
refused to send our people to the hospital, for they told us that 
their hospital was full of their own sick ; yet he did not wholly 
negle6l our petition, but ordered that one of the most conveni- 
ent rooms in the prison should be assigned for the sick, where 
they should all be carried, and have their attendance, and this 
was direflly done, and the sick were all brought in.f 

Nov. 24. Died John Bradshaw. He belonged to Capt. 
Donahew. He was taken when Capt. Donahew was killed at 
Canso, June 29th, 1745. He was wounded when taken, but 
recovered of his wounds ; soon fell into a consumptive way, 
and died of it. 

[33] Nov. 28. Died Jonathan Dunham. He was taken 
with Capt. Pote near Annapolis, May 17th, 1745. He died 
after eight or ten days sickness. 

Nov. 29. Died William Bagley.| He was master of a 
vessel taken at sea. May 29th, 1746. 

December i. Died Gratis Vanderveriske, after a tedious 
sickness of six or seven weeks. He belonged to Sarratago, 
was taken by the enemy, November 17th, 1745. 

Dec. 6. Died Pike Gordon. He was taken from Bidde- 
ford, September 5th, 1746; was sick eleven days, and all the 
time deprived of his reason. 

* Nov. 22. The abovesaid Anderson's % Hoiv has this under the same date : 

uncle was brought to prison. HoiVy 19. "Capt. Bailey of Almsbury died." Bag- 
f Jonathan Dunham died. Hoiv, 20. ley is probably the right name. 



1746-] Norton's Redeefned Captive. 41 

Dec. 7. Died Martha Quaquinbush, a girl* taken at Sar- 
ratago, Nov. 17th, 1745. She had a long and tedious sickness; 
what it was is uncertain.* 

Dec. II. Died Mirriam the wife of Moses Scott. She 
was taken with me at Fort Massachusetts. She got a cold in 
her journey, which proved fatal, her circumstances being 
peculiar. She was never well after our arrival at Canada, but 
wasted away to a mere skeleton, and lost the use of her limbs. 

Dec. 15. Died John Boon. He was taken at sea. May 
ist,t 1746. He died of a consumption; belonged, to Devon- 
shire in England. 

Dec. 18. Died Mary Woodwell, wife to David Wood- 
well,! of New Hopkinton on Merrimack river. She lay in a 
burning fever about a fortnight. She was taken captive, April 
27th, 1746. 

Dec. 23. Died Rebecca the wife of John Perry. She 
was taken with me at Fort Massachusetts, August 20th, 1746. 
Her illness was different from all the rest. She had little or no 
fever ; had a cold, and was exercised with wrecking pains until 
she died. 

Dec. 24. I was taken with the distemper ; was seized 
with a very grievous pain in the head and back [34J and a 
fever ; but I let blood in the morning, and took a good potion 
of physic, and in a few days another ; so that I soon recovered 
again. 

Dec. 26. Died Wm. Daily of New York. He belonged 
to Capt. Rouse's ship, and was taken upon St. John's Island, 
July loth, 1746. He had a very long and tedious sickness; 

* She was ten years of age. Hoiv. J See Particular History, etc., p. 92, 

I One of Capt. Robertson's lieutenants where will be found some particulars of 
died. Hoiv. her singular vicisitudes of fortune. 



42 Norton's Redeemed Captive, [1746-7. 

several times he seemed to be in a way to recover ; but took 
relapses, till he was worn out. He swelled in his neck and 
side of his face, and mortified. 

January 2, 1746-7. Died Thomas Atkinson of Lancashire 
in England; was taken at sea, May, 1745; his sickness very 
tedious about eight or nine days before his death. 

Jan. 3. Died Jonathan Hogadorn. He belonged to the 
county of Albany, and was taken on a scout near Fort Ann, 
Nov. 1 6th, 1745 ; had a long and tedious sickness of more 
than two rrionths continuance.* 

" The sickness thus increasing, there were many taken sick, 
which I do n't pretend to mention. The sickness also got into 
the prison-keeper's family. He lost a daughter by it, the 4th 
instant. Upon this the Governor ordered a house to be pro- 
vided for the sick, where they were all carried the 12th instant, 
about twenty in number, with three men to attend them ; and 
after this, when any were taken sick, they were carried out to 
this house. 

Jan. 12. Died at night, Francis f Andrews, of Cape Ann. 
He was taken at sea, June 24, 1746, and died of the bloody 
flux, after a tedious spell of it. 

Jan. 15. Died at night, Jacob Bagley,| of Newbury, 
after about two days sickness. He was taken at sea. May 
26th, 1746. 

Jan. 27. Died Guyart Brabbon,§ of Maryland, after ten 
weeks sickness; taken at sea. May 22d, 1745. 



* Jan. 4. The Rev. Mr. Norton was | Hoiv, ibidem, gives the fadt thus : 

so far recovered from sickness that he Jacob Baley, brother of Capt. Bailey 

preached two discourses from Psal. 60, 1 1. aforesaid, died. 

■j- Ho-w, p. zo, gives the name Phineas | Giat Braban, Capt. Chapman's car- 
Andrews, penter. Ibidem. 



I749"7-] Norton! s Redeemed Captive. 43 

[35] J^"- ^3- Died Samuel Lovet, after near a month's 
sickness. He was taken with me.* 

Feb. II. Died in the morning, Moses Scot, son to Moses 
Scot. He was a child of about two years old, and died with 
the consumption. In the afternoon died Wm. Galbaoth,f a 
Scots-man. He was taken at sea, April 4th, 1746; was sick 
about a month before he died. 

About this time I had another turn of illness. I had a 
grievous pain in my head and back. The do6lor blooded me, 
and advised me to go to the hospital ; for, he said, I was going 
to have the distemper, but, by careful living, I soon recovered, 
and escaped the distemper. 

Feb. 23. Died Richard Bennet. He belonged to Capt. 
Rouse's ship, and was taken at the island St. Jon's, July lOth, 
1746. He belonged to the Jerseys, and had a long and tedious 
sickness. 

Feb. 24. Died Michael Dogan, an Irishman. He listed 
at Philadelphia, a soldier for Louisbourg, and was taken in his 
passage by a French man of war. He had been sick, and 
recovered, but took a relapse the 20th instant. 

March, 1747. The fore part of this month our people 
were generally better in health than they had been, and we 
were in hopes the distemper would abate ; yet there was a 
number sick. 

March 5. We had news from Nova Scotia, that the 
French, under the command of Mons. Ramsey, had fallen 



* He was son of Major Lovet of Men- treal to Quebec, viz., John Sunderland, 

don. H01U, 20. John Smith, Richard Smith, William 

■j- Printed Garivafs in Hoiv, p. 20. Scot, Philip Scofil, and Benj. Tainter, 

Feb. 15. My nephew, Daniel How, and son to Lieut. Tainter of Westborough. 

six more were brought down from Mon- Hoiv, 20-1. 



44 NortoTis Redeemed Captive. [1747. 

upon an English army at Minis, had killed one hundred and 
thirty-three, and had taken four hundred prisoners ; but the 
truth I suppose was, that they had killed about seventy, and 
taken about as many more. 

March 18. Died Thomas Magra, an Irishman. He was 
taken in the Billinder. His sickness was very short. 

[36] March 21. Died John Fort, servant, a Dutchman. 
He was taken on a scout near Fort Ann, November i6th, 
1745. He died of a consumption. The same day died Samuel 
Goodman of South Hadley. He was taken with me at Fort 
Massachusetts, and died of the scurvy. 

March 29. Died Mary, the wife of John Smeed, after a 
tedious sickness of about eight weeks ; was taken with me. • 

April 7. Died John Smeed, Jun. He was taken with me 
at Fort Massachusetts. He was seized with the distemper in 
0£tober last, and was bad for a time, and then recovered in 
some good measure, and after a little time relapsed, and as he 
did several times, till at last he fell into a consumption, of 
which he died. 

April 8. Died Philip Scaffield. He belonged to Pennsyl- 
vania soldiers, was taken near Albany, 06lober, 1746. His 
sickness was short, but his fever very violent. 

April 10. Died John Jordan, master of a vessel taken at 
sea, June ist, 1746. He came sick into prison, but seemed to 
recover ; and so had frequent relapses till he died. He belonged 
to the Bay government. 

The same day died Antonio, a Portuguese. He was taken 
in the English service, and so always kept confined. His sick- 
ness was short. 

April 12. Died Amos Pratt. He was taken with me. 
He had a hard turn of the Fever in November and December, 



1 747-] Norton s Redeemed Captive. 45 

but recovered ; was taken again the latter end of March, and 
so continued till he died. 

April 13. Died Timothy Cummings. He was taken near 
George's fort, where he belonged. May 22d, 1746. His sick- 
ness was short but very tedious. 

April 16. Died John Dill. He belonged to Nantaskett; 
was mate of a sloop, and taken at sea, near Jebu6ta, May 29th, 
1746. His sickness was upon him about ten days before his 
death. 

[37] April 17. Died Samuel Evans of Newbury. He 
was taken at sea with Capt. William Bagley. He had a fort- 
night's sickness. 

April 18. Died Samuel Vaughn,* one of Capt. Rouse's 
men, taken at St. John's, July loth, 1746. He belonged to 
Plymouth in New England. He was sick about eight days 
before his death. 

April 27. Died Joseph Denning of Cape Ann, master of 
a fishing schooner, taken at sea, June 24th, 1746. He was 
exercised with purging the greatest part of the winter, and was 
worn out with it and died. 

April 30. Died Susanna Mc Cartees, infant child. 

The 28th of this instant, when the prisoners were all con- 
fined in their rooms, but one or two in the lower room cook- 
ing the pot, the prison house took fire. It began on the ridge. 
We supposed that it catched by sparks lighting upon it. It 
being very dry, and something windy, it soon spread upon the 
house, and we could not come at it, having no ladder, to quench 
it. There were no lives lost, but many lost their bedding and 
clothing. 

We were condudled by a strong guard to the governor's 

* Printed in How^s Narrati-ve, page ii, Venhon, 

7 



46 Norton's Redeemed Captive. [ 1 747. 

yard, where we were kept till near night, when we were con- 
dudled to the back of the town to the old wall, in a bow of 
which they had set up some plank tents something like sheep's 
pens. We had boards flung down to lay our beds upon, but the 
tents generally leaked so much in wet weather, that none of us 
could lie dry, and had much wet weather this month. 

The gentlemen of our room sent in a petition the beginning 
of May, that they might be removed to some more convenient 
place. Upon which we had a house built for us in the prison- 
er's yard, about twenty feet square, into which we were removed 
the 23d instant. This was something more comfortable than 
the tents. In this yard we were confined, having the wall 
behind it and at each end, and the fort side picketed in, and a 
guard of about twenty men to keep us in both by day and night. 

N. B. I should have observed that several prisoners were 
brought into prison before this; as Feb. 15th, there came in 
seven men from Mount-Real, taken the summer before. [38] 
In March there came into prison a Dutchman from Schanec- 
tada, and a woman from Saratago. 

April 26th, there came into prison, three persons taken some 
time before at Saratago, and Jonathan Williamson, taken at 
Wiscassett, at the eastward, April 13th, 1747.* 

* Probably an error, and should be delivered at Quebec on the 26th follow- 
1746, unless this was the second time ing, it was rather a short time (thirteen 
Williamson was a captive. His place was days) in which to take him through the 
at Broad Bay, and Smith says — Jour- wilderness, judging from what is stated 
nal, ^1 — news came to Falmouth, May respecting the tedious journeyings of 
21(1 746) that " the Indians had burnt all Indian captives of that time. Nehemiah 
the houses at Broad Bay." Sullivan says. How also records the arrival of William- 
page 168, that he returned out of cap- son, and How died May a5th following j 
tivity the next year (1748). Williamson hence this reduces the journey to twelve 
lived at Broad Bay, and was doubtless days, if Williamson was taken in 1747. 
taken when the place was destroyed. If Circumstances seem to authorize the cor- 
he were taken on the i 3th of April, and redion we have made. 



1 747-] Nortoris Redeemed Captive. 47 

May 9. Died Sarah, the relid of Wm. Bryant. She was 
taken at Gorham Town, near Casco Bay, April 19th, 1746. 
Her husband and four of her children were then killed ; one 
escaping. She was taken sick the ist of May. 

May 13. Died Daniel Smeed, a young man. He was 
taken with me, and was son to John Smeed. He was first 
taken sick in November, and by frequent relapses was worn 
out, and fell into a purging, by which he wasted away and died. 

May 14. Came into prison John Larmon, taken at Dama- 
scota, in the eastward, by eleven Indians, April 27th, 1747, and 
informed that his wife and daughter were killed by them. 

May 15. Died in the morning Christian Tedder,* of 
Schenedlada, taken May 7th, 1746. He was taken sick about 
the beginning of this month. 

The same day died Mr. Hezekiah Huntington, son to Col. 
Huntington of Norwich in Connedlicut. He was taken at sea,^ 
June 28th, 1746. He was well beloved and much lamented by 
all sober religious persons. f 

This day also died Joseph Gray of Maryland. He was 
taken by sea. May 22d, 1745. A likely young man. Thus 
we had three likely young men taken from us in one day. 

May 17. Died Captivity Smeed, an infant about nine months 
old, daughter to John Smeed, 

May 18. Died Samuel Martin of Lebanon in Connecti- 
cut ; a likely young man, taken at sea. His sickness short. 

This day there came into Quebec, a schooner and sloop 
from Martineco. In their passage they took a sloop bound 
from Philadelphia to Antigua, and brought in four of her men. 
This day came up three prisoners from Bay Verde, viz., George 

* Hoiv has the name Fether. f See Particular History, p. 97. 



48 Norton's Redeemed Captive. [i747« 

Schavolani, Zeehariah Hubbard, and a Negro, and three from 
the frontiers of New England. 

May 19. Died Samuel Burbank, of New Hopkinton, an 
old man, taken April 22d, 1746.* The same day died Abra- 
ham Fort, son to John Fort, deceased, taken near Fort Ann, 
November i6th, 1745. 

[39] May 20. I was taken ill with a grievous pain in my 
head, and a sore eye, that I was almost blind with it. The 
2ist I yielded to be sick. Capt. Roberts and Capt. Williams 
were also both of them very sick, being taken a few days before 
me. This day I was blooded, having something of the fever. 
The 23d I was blooded again ; the do6lor also gave me a bottle 
of eve-water, and advised me not to be concerned about the 
fever. I was sensible they did not apprehend how ill I was. I 
intreated of him to give me a potion of physic, which he did, 
the 25th, and it worked very well. In the night I fell into a 
sweat, and was in hopes it would go off, but I was sadly dis- 
appointed, for I grew worse the next day. My reason departed 
from me, and returned not, until the 14th of June. Part of 
this time I was given over by every one that saw me. I had 
the nervous fever, and was very much convulsed. I was ex- 
ceeding low and weak when I first came to myself, but I 
recovered strength as soon as could be expe6led ; for, by the 
24th of June, I got out, and went into the chamber. 

May 21. Died Robert Williams. He belonged to Eng- 
land, and was taken at sea. 

May 22. Died Nathaniel Hitchcock of Brimfield. He 
was taken with me. 

* See Particular History, page 92, died two children, who were put out to the 

where the circumstances of the attack on French to nurse." Hoiv, 22. May 19, he 

Hopkinton are detailed. " At the same mentions receiving a letter from Major 

time[thedeathofMr. Burbank happened] Willard, which is his last entry. 



1747'] Norton s Redeemed Captive. 49 

May 25. Died Mr. Nehemiah How, of No. 2, aged 
about fifty-six; taken at Great Meadow, 06lober nth, 1745.* 

May 26. Died Jacob Quaquinbush, and Isaac his son, 
both taken at Sarathtoga, November 17th, 1745. 

May 30. Died Jacob Shepherd, a pious young man, well 
beloved and much lamented. He was taken with me. 

June 3. Died Robert David Roberts of Dartmouth, in 
England, master of a snow, taken at sea. May ist, 1746. 

June 10. Died John Pitman of Marblehead, of the scurvy, 
taken at sea. May 27th, 1747. 

June 12. Died Abraham De Grave of Sechanedlada, taken 
Od., 1746. 

June 17. Died Samuel Stacy, taken at Menis, Feb., 1746, 7. 

June 20. Died William Nason of Casco Bay, taken at 
Menis, February, 1746, 7. 

June 30. Died Matthew Loring, taken at sea. May 29th, 
1746. 

[40] This month there came into prison several prisoners; 
first, there were three prisoners brought from Mont Real, two 
of which were taken at Sarratoga, Feb. 22d, 1746, and one 
from Canterhook, April loth, 1747. One man killed ; at the 
same time a woman and child captivated with him. 

June 5. Came . in two men taken at Pemaquid. There 
were twelve men killed when they were taken. 

June II. We had an account from the French, that they 
had taken a number of Indians and Dutch, who had first done 
some mischief in Canada. There was about fifty in the whole 
scout, and they had taken about ten or twelve of them in this 

* An account of his captivity was pub- ColUiiion of Indian Capti-vitics, 1 8 39. See, 
lished in 1748, and republished in Drake % also, Particular History, 85. 



50 Norton' s Redeemed Captive. [1747- 

month. There came also thirty-six prisoners from Nova Scotia, 
most of which were taken at Menis, February, 1746, 7. 

July 2. Died Archibald Gartrage, a child, and son to 
Charles Gartrage, aged nine months. 

July 4. Died William Prindle, a Louisbourg soldier, a New 
England man originally, taken at St. John's, July lOth, 1746. 

July II. Died Corporal William Norwood. He belonged 
to his Majesty's troops which came from Gibraltar to Louis- 
bourg, taken at St. John's, July loth, 1746. 

July 16. Died James Doyl. He was taken at sea. May 
29th, 1746. 

The same day died Phinehas Forbush, of Westboro', taken 
at Fort Massachusetts with me. He was a very likely man. 

July 21. Died Jonathan Brigman, of Sunderland. He was 
taken with me at Fort Massachusetts. 

July 25. We came on board the ship Verd Le Grace,* 
which the governor of Canada sent with a flag of truce to 
Boston. The 27th we set sail for New England, at ten in the 
morning. August ist we came in sight of Cape Breton Island. 

August II. Died on board our flag of truce, Nicholas 
Burt. He belonged to the West of England, and was taken at 
sea. May ist, 1746. Died in captivity, in all, seventy-three. 

August 16. We arrived at Boston. The sick and infirm 
were taken to the hospital. Col. Winslowf sent to me and 

* The ship Vierge-de-Grace [Hand- William, 1756; councillor of the Pro- 
some Virgin], Captain Larregni. See vince, etc., etc. ; died in Hingham, 1774, 
N. Y. Col. Docs., X, 118. aged seventy-two. In the News-Letter 

f Probably John Winslow, of the fourth of 5 June, 1760, is this notice: "In 

generation from Governor Winslow of Capt. Watts came passenger General 

the Mayflower. He was in the calami- Winslow, who was welcomed ashore and 

tous Cuba expedition of 1740; in the congratulated by a great number of peo- 

Nova Scotia expedition of 1755, and pie, upon his return to his native coun- 

general and commander-in-chief at Fort try." 



1747'] Norton's Redeemed Captive. 51 

desired me to come and tarry with him while I continued in 
Boston. I thanicfully accepted it, and was courteously enter- 
tained. This was a day of great joy and gladness to me. 
May I never forget the many great and repeated mercies of 
God towards me. 



FINIS 



0011 7127126 



